“I promise to serve you, I promise to listen, I promise to speak in truth, obviously in the command of love.”
—EJ de Waard, upon being voted president of General Synod 2020
Meet the VP candidates
Delegates nominated four candidates for vice president of General Synod 2020: Phil Assink, Dale Buettner, Brad Kautz, and Patricia Sealy. Get to know the candidates.
Delegates call for change in voting process ahead of Vision 2020 vote
In a lengthy evening discussion and vote, delegates approved a change to the Book of Church Order that would require approval from a simple majority of classes—rather than the current two-thirds majority required—for proposals related to the work of the Vision 2020 Team. (Since this is a BCO change, it requires approval from two-thirds of classes and ratification at next year’s synod before taking effect.)
You’ve heard of Vision 2020, but have you heard of Mission 2020?
In the Global Mission report, director of Global Mission JP Sundararajan shared how God is working through the RCA around the globe. JP also invited RCA churches to explore the future of mission together at the Mission 2020 celebration in January.
Also on Monday:
- Synod celebrated the organization of three new RCA churches and the formation of 21 RCA church plants in the last year.
- Synod recognized Missional Impact Churches for their support of the RCA’s mission and ministry.
- Delegates approved recommendations to create a volunteer-run RCA media channel and to study postmodernism and its relationship to Christianity. These recommendations came out of proposals made in General Synod president James Nakakihara’s report.
- Seminarian Young Nam Yoo closed out the Ministerial Formation Certification Agency report by singing “How Great Thou Art” in Korean. Experience the beauty that received a standing ovation from delegates.
- “Bounds” of a classis were interpreted to allow for ethnic and linguistic classes.
- Pastors and elders from churches belonging to other denominations that pursue dual affiliation with the RCA may be able to vote in classis meetings soon, pending the ratification by classes of a BCO change.
- Delegates voted to continue the Commission on Christian Discipleship and Education, which had been reviewed by GSC over the last year and recommended for discontinuation. They also had a lot of love for Children and Worship, asking staff to reconsider cutting support of the program in the face of declining participation.